I have only worked on 2 machines that were in the same restaurant. Had nothing but problems them. A lot of issues with harvests, and a couple of factory leaks. We ended up replacing them with Manitowocs.
Has anybody else had the pleasure of working on these new style Kold Drafts that have had a surge on the market? If so how do you feel about all there issues? I wish they would figure out how to engineer a ice maker that can run in Montana and down in Texas like all the other mfg's can do.
What's your spin on them?
I have only worked on 2 machines that were in the same restaurant. Had nothing but problems them. A lot of issues with harvests, and a couple of factory leaks. We ended up replacing them with Manitowocs.
We just installed one, what a nightmare. Biggest problem we have is availability of parts. I told customer if it breaks order ice then call me. If it needs a part your sol till it comes in. Second problem nobody knows how to work on them.
There are a couple of new ones in service around my area. No major problems yet, and they have almost been running for a couple of years now. Hoshi is bringing their IM series square cubers to the USA any day now. They are pretty much exactly the same as Kold Draft I think, only they are more expensive!
There are a lot of the newer style kold drafts and the older ones that we work on. Not a big fan of them, I don't see why an ice machine manufacturer can't get their charge properly. The instructions state that you must calculate the line set exposed to above 70 degerees and line set exposed to under 70 degreees. Why can't you have the same charge as all the other mfg, I don't think the engineers know what they are doing.
I checked the Hoshi web page and they are coming out with a 500 lb square cuber, hope it's better then what's out there now
Unfortunately our company gets all the warranty work on these. Long story short we are constantly in contact with Kold Draft and the main issues we have are with the swing arms and springs wearing out. They also have a lot of water and harvest issues.
In the end they are very touchy machines and require a lot of attention.
They have updated the board but you will have to replace the whole thing and have to ship back the old board and they send a new one. They don't have a USB drive like the manitowoc indigos.